Red-Eyed Dove or Eurasian Collared Dove ?

There's more to learn about Red-Eyed Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

How to recognise a Eurasian collared dove?

General appearance

The Eurasian collared dove measures approximately 12 1/2 inches (32 cm) in length. Its predominant color is pale brown, with a distinctive narrow black ring around its neck. It has large white patches on its outer tail feathers. The species is darker than the domesticated Ringed-Turtle-Dove, especially on undertail coverts and wingtips. The size is roughly equivalent to that of a crow. The wings are of a broad and pointed shape, and the tail shape is generally rounded or square-tipped.

Male vs female

There are minimal noticeable differences between the sexes in the Eurasian collared dove. Both males and females exhibit similar features such as the black neck ring, pale brown body color, and white patches on the tail. Any variation is subtle and generally indistinguishable in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile Eurasian collared doves are similar in size and color to adults, but they may have slightly duller coloration. Recognizing them may be challenging due to their resemblance to adult birds until they attain their distinctive adult plumage.

Size

11.4 - 11.8 in/4.9 - 6.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Eurasian collared dove typically inhabits suburbs and farmland, especially those with a mixture of trees and open ground. It seems to thrive better in small towns than in larger cities.

Additional range

In its original Asian range, it's found in semi-open dry country with scattered trees and groves. They are versatile and adaptable, able to live in a variety of environments including wood edges and open country.

Range Map

What do Eurasian collared doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The Eurasian collared dove primarily consumes a diet consisting mostly of seeds, with additional intake of some berries and insects. In North America, the specific details of their diet are not yet well known. In Europe, they are known to feed on waste grain from many cultivated crops, alongside seeds from various plants. Their diet may also occasionally include some berries and small insects, with snails being consumed rarely.

Bird feeders

While feeding at bird feeders, Eurasian collared doves are known to consume bread crumbs and other foods provided by humans. This behavior indicates their adaptability to supplementary food sources made available in human-inhabited environments.

What does a Eurasian collared dove sound like?

The Eurasian collared dove typically produces a deep, rhythmic kuk-kooooo-kuk call, which heavily emphasizes the middle syllable. This call generally portrays a flat pattern and is categorized as a hoot type. Additionally, the dove can emit a harsh, mewing nasal call note, compared by many observers to the high-volume call of a Gray Catbird. Its vocalizations, therefore, blend unique elements of distinctness and familiarity.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Eurasian Collared Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

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Eurasian Collared Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Streptopelia semitorquata

General appearance

The red-eyed dove is a large, long-tailed bird known for its distinct red eyes, contrasted by a grey head and lavender-grey body. It exhibits a particular wing pattern, with its back and wings being slate-grey, crossed by broad black bands. Its underparts are slightly pink, with its tail having a white tip.

Male vs female

The males and females of the red-eyed dove species exhibit monomorphism, meaning they share similar plumage and are difficult to distinguish visually. The unique identifying factor lies in their vocalization patterns where the male has a distinct five-part coo sound sequence, differing from the female's call.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-eyed doves possess a uniform brown colouration compared to adults, lacking the distinctive black wing bands. Their overall colour is duller with their eyes being more of a brownish-grey shade. As they mature, they gradually acquire the adult's characteristic markings and vibrant red eyes.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/5.7 - 10.9 oz

There's more to learn about Red-Eyed Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

General appearance

The Eurasian collared dove measures approximately 12 1/2 inches (32 cm) in length. Its predominant color is pale brown, with a distinctive narrow black ring around its neck. It has large white patches on its outer tail feathers. The species is darker than the domesticated Ringed-Turtle-Dove, especially on undertail coverts and wingtips. The size is roughly equivalent to that of a crow. The wings are of a broad and pointed shape, and the tail shape is generally rounded or square-tipped.

Male vs female

There are minimal noticeable differences between the sexes in the Eurasian collared dove. Both males and females exhibit similar features such as the black neck ring, pale brown body color, and white patches on the tail. Any variation is subtle and generally indistinguishable in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile Eurasian collared doves are similar in size and color to adults, but they may have slightly duller coloration. Recognizing them may be challenging due to their resemblance to adult birds until they attain their distinctive adult plumage.

Size

11.4 - 11.8 in/4.9 - 6.3 oz

There's more to learn about Eurasian Collared Dove

How to tell the Red-Eyed Dove from the Eurasian Collared Dove

Visual differences

The Red-Eyed Dove is larger and heavier (11.8-13.4 inches, 5.7-10.9 ounces) compared to the slightly smaller Eurasian Collared Dove (11.4-11.8 inches, 4.9-6.3 ounces). The Red-Eyed Dove features a striking red eye, grey head, and lavender-grey body with slate-grey wings and a long tail with a white tip. In contrast, the Eurasian Collared Dove is pale brown with a distinctive narrow black neck ring and large white patches on the outer tail feathers. Both have similar plumage for males and females, but differ in eye color and neck markings.

Key differences and behavior

The Red-Eyed Dove and the Eurasian Collared Dove share similar feeding habits, primarily consuming seeds and grains, but the Red-Eyed Dove occasionally supplements its diet with fruits and invertebrates. Both species build simple twig nests, but the Red-Eyed Dove prefers dense foliage for concealment in woodland, savanna, or urban gardens, whereas the Eurasian Collared Dove often nests in suburban and farmland areas, including manmade structures. Socially, the typically solitary Red-Eyed Dove feeds alone or in pairs, contrasting with the more sociable Eurasian Collared Dove, which is adaptable to smaller towns but thrives less in large cities. Breeding displays vary, with the Red-Eyed Dove engaging in clapping wing displays and the Eurasian Dove incorporating noisy aerial displays. Both play active roles in nesting and nurturing, though the Eurasian Collared Dove can raise multiple broods annually. Overall, their habitats and social behaviors help distinguish them in the field.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

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A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

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A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

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